The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), a renowned international nursing education accreditation agency based in the United States, recently assessed and visited the UGM campus on Tuesday (Mar. 5).
This visitation aimed to follow up on the international accreditation application for the Nursing Science Study Program (PSIK) at the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, which was submitted two years ago. Two esteemed assessors from ACEN led the visitation: Dr. Suzette Farmer and Emily Fink, D.N.P., RN.
Professor Indra Wijaya Kusuma, Head of the UGM Quality Assurance and Reputation Unit, highlighted that the accreditation process had been ongoing for two years, encompassing the registration phase, eligibility evaluation, and consulting visit.
“This visit marks the culmination of our efforts, and following this, a decision on accreditation will be made,” remarked Professor Kusuma after a productive meeting with the ACEN assessor team at UGM.
During the visitation, Professor Kusuma outlined that the assessor team meticulously evaluated five critical aspects: students, governance, faculty members, curriculum, and outcomes, which aligned with ACEN’s stringent standards.
“The standards upheld by ACEN are rigorous, given its status as an accreditation agency from America. Their thorough assessment ensures adherence to the highest quality and safety measures,” he emphasized.
Professor Kusuma further underlined that the international accreditation application to ACEN for the nursing science program marked a significant milestone as a nursing program in Indonesia that made the first proposal.
“I think this is the first time ACEN accreditation is being applied for in Indonesia,” he noted.
In response, Professor Ova Emilia, the Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, commended ACEN as a recommended international accreditation body for nursing science programs. She thanked the ACEN assessor team for thoroughly evaluating the program’s eligibility for international accreditation.
“We deeply appreciate your dedication to assessing our study programs at UGM. We acknowledge that continuous improvement is essential for excellence,” she affirmed.
Highlighting the multifaceted role of the UGM Nursing program, the rector noted its significant support for academic endeavors and healthcare services in renowned institutions such as Sardjito General Hospital, UGM Academic Hospital, GMC clinic, and the Health Promoting University (HPU) program.
“Our collaboration spans 18 faculties and two schools for the HPU, integrating healthcare, academia, and research seamlessly,” she elaborated.
ACEN assessor Dr. Suzette Farmer shed light on the focus of their visitation, which centered on assessing administrative capacity and available resources.
“We carefully evaluated faculty qualifications and focused on student success as they transition into nursing,” she remarked.
Furthermore, the assessment encompassed a comprehensive curriculum review to ensure its diversity and alignment with contemporary practice developments. Dr. Farmer emphasized that based on the outcomes of this visitation, they would compile an assessment report, acknowledging the thorough preparation by the UGM team for this visit.
“The team provided comprehensive information in response to our queries before the visit. Our interactions with students were particularly enlightening. Their pride in being part of this university reflects the exceptional quality of the program and the institution,” she concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie